Thursday, February 4, 2010

Resetting a High-Speed Internet Connection

If you have DSL or cable service your computer may loose it’s Internet connection. You get "server not found" messages or the like.
You may have one or two of these three types of connecting equipment:

A Modem; it converts the high speed signal from either the phone line or the TV cable into something a computer can understand. The modem has one cable that connects either to your computer or to a router.

A Router typically has one input from a modem, four output connectors for computers or network printers and eventually a wireless antenna.

A Gateway is a combination of a modem and a router in one physical box.

These three boxes usually have a small “Reset” button on the back. Do NOT push the reset button! If you do it anyway the unit will forget the connection specific settings that have been stored in there and the parameters have to be set again. Do you know how to do that? If yes please feel free!

Here are the first and most important steps to do before you call your Internet Service Provider (ISP). They would have you do the exact same things anyway.

Please do the following in exactly this sequence:

Turn everything OFF. That means to shut down (turn off!) the computer andremoving the power cables from the modem and the router or gateway.

Then wait one minute; this is important!

Turn the modem (or gateway) back on (re-connect the power cable).

Then wait one minute; this is important!

If you have a router turn it back on (re-connect the power cable).

Then wait one minute; this is important!

Turn your computer back on.

The connection should be working now.

If it’s not working more detailed hands-on troubleshooting is required. Please call your ISP’s technical support before you call me. When you talk to tech support do NOT allow them to install their mostly crappy and expensive “security” software. If I did set up your computer it is protected!

As usual I welcome comments and suggestions right here in the blog. Thank you in advance.

About Me

52 years in Information Technology and 34 years of experience with PCs as of 2016. Specialized in non-destructive virus and malware removal, home computer protection and showing my customers how to keep their computers "mean and clean". From 2004 to 2015 I was the regular computer guru on a local radio call-in talk show. From April 2015 through April 2016 I was bi-wwekly on WBKV 1470AM. I offer only house calls and work exclusively on MS-Windows. I do NOT sell hardware or software, I sell only my know how, my experience and my time.